Einstein reportedly said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This quote will never resonate as much as in terms of health system reforms.
The problem of patient care dates back to the early 1980s. Over the decades, each new government has come up with its own genius idea to reinvent the system and miraculously infuse it with efficiency and agility. Last year, it was François Legault’s turn to promise us a “little revolution”. He created hope. But, given the recent results, he delivered despair.
Disappointment
This umpteenth disappointment was however predictable. Not because of the weakness of the measures, but because of the sinister ideology in which decision-makers are locked up.
Wanting to preserve free healthcare is noble. But persisting in keeping the state in the role of caregiver is criminal. We have created a monstrous, inefficient and dehumanized bureaucracy in which each intervener works first to protect his personal interests and, secondarily, to take care of the patients.
All administrative or logistical reforms have failed miserably. Nearly 20% of Quebecers still don’t have a doctor, 160,000 people are waiting for surgery, and emergency rooms are constantly overflowing.
We have sovietized the health system. We are now reaping the fruit. And the fruit is rotten. However, the reforms always navigate within the perimeter imposed by the ideology that the state produces care.
Paradigm
Quebecers have been patient enough. It’s time to change the paradigm. What if the state was content to provide free care while the private sector would provide the service? Could we at least consider this option? Because for the moment, we have a Ministry of Disease… and not of Health!
